Lynne’s story

I decided to call the helpline straight away as I was concerned about flying and pressurised cabins. The person I spoke to was attentive, sympathetic, highly knowledgeable, and very reassuring. For the first time in years, I felt like I had someone who could provide answers.

I first came across Glaucoma UK through a leaflet I picked up at the hospital pharmacy. A helpline phone number on the back of the leaflet immediately caught my attention. Since being diagnosed in 2011, one thing I’ve noticed is the total lack of information available at the eye clinic I attend. The doctors are very busy, and glaucoma is a complex subject that’s difficult to explain quickly or easily to patients.

I decided to call the helpline straight away as I was concerned about flying and pressurised cabins. The person I spoke to was attentive, sympathetic, highly knowledgeable, and very reassuring. For the first time in years, I felt like I had someone who could provide answers.

I joined Glaucoma UK as a member immediately, and I’m so glad I did. When I called the helpline a second time with another question, even though it was relatively basic, I never felt like my concern was dismissed or unimportant. The charity’s online peer support forum, ‘Health Unlocked’ is also excellent – another brilliant resource for information and connecting with others. Looking at the number of posts on the forum, it’s clear that without Glaucoma UK, many of us living with the disease would feel far more anxious and frustrated.

I also look forward to receiving the Insight magazine, which features articles on the latest research, treatments, techniques, and explanations of different types of glaucoma. I very much doubt there will be a cure in my lifetime. However, given my family history, it’s reassuring to think that if any of my children or grandchildren are ever affected by the condition, they’ll have access to better treatments and outcomes. The research that organisations like Glaucoma UK fund, may one day lead to a breakthrough in understanding and ultimately, dare I say it, a cure – you can live in hope.

Since 2011, I’ve had various types of treatment for my glaucoma, including eye drops, iridotomy on both eyes and lens implant. In 2021, my left eye was also diagnosed with glaucoma, and a couple of years later, I learned that the specific type of glaucoma I have is angle closure glaucoma.

I’d like to take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of not taking chances with your eye health. Always make time for routine eye appointments. I feel many people underestimate the seriousness of this disease and its consequences. I hope my story encourages members to also spread the word to their friends and family. Eye tests are essential, not just for detecting glaucoma, but for identifying other eye conditions as well.

My family are aware of my glaucoma diagnosis, and thankfully, neither of my daughters have been diagnosed. They look after their eye health and attend regular eye tests at the opticians. I think they’re more worried about how my glaucoma affects me than about the possibility of developing it themselves.

I try not to think of the potential consequences of the disease too much, even though I know two people who’ve lost their sight to glaucoma. I do get quite anxious when I have to attend appointments, worrying that the condition may have worsened. However, I’m incredibly thankful that my eyesight remains good, allowing me to continue enjoying the activities I love.

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